Thousands of Bangladeshi workers were left stranded this week, the victims of a bureaucratic breakdown between Bangladesh and Malaysia, and unscrupulous recruiting agents.
The scenes at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, with hundreds waiting in vain for flights they didn’t have, were a stark illustration of a system that failed its people.
The blame goes around. Malaysia set a deadline in March for workers to arrive, a deadline the Bangladesh government only addressed weeks later.
This delay left recruiting agencies scrambling and workers facing a nightmarish scramble for expensive tickets. Shariful Hasan of BRAC points out that someone with a valid visa shouldn’t be prevented from entering due to administrative chaos.
The actions of some recruiting agencies were deplorable. Workers were lured with promises that turned to dust, left at the airport with nothing but dashed dreams.
The government must investigate and take stern action against these exploiters. Prof. CR Abrar rightly highlights the presence of syndicates that have long preyed on Bangladeshi migrant workers.
This incident exposes the deep flaws in Bangladesh’s migration management. Jasiya Khatoon of WARBE Development Foundation is blunt: Friday’s fiasco proves a broken system.
The government must do better to ensure the welfare of its citizens seeking work abroad. Meanwhile, the stranded workers are left with uncertainty.
The government’s promise of prioritizing them for future opportunities is a small consolation for the financial and emotional toll they’ve endured.
This is not just about missed flights; it’s about missed opportunities to support families and build a better future.
Bangladesh and Malaysia need to work together to ensure a smoother process. Clear communication, efficient systems, and a crackdown on exploitative agencies are all essential.
But most importantly, they need to remember that this is about people, not numbers. The human cost of bureaucratic bungling cannot be ignored.